Chapter 5: What Her Mother Left Behind
Charlotte read the letter alone.
Gerald had gone inside the hotel's private business suite to make calls.
He had offered to stay.
She had told him she needed ten minutes.
He had nodded — the way he always nodded when he understood something she hadn't said — and left her in the car with the engine running and the folder in her lap.
The letter was two pages, front and back.
Her mother's handwriting was smaller than usual, as if Eleanor Vale had been trying to fit too much into too little space.
*I don't know how much time I have.
The doctors say months.
Daniel says I should rest and stop worrying about the estate.
He says everything is arranged.
That is exactly why I am writing this now, while he thinks I am sleeping.*
Charlotte's throat tightened.
She kept reading.
*Daniel Ashworth has been my friend for forty years.
I loved him like a brother.
I still do, which is why what I am about to tell you is the hardest thing I have ever written.*
*Six months ago, I discovered that Daniel had been moving funds out of the Solmere operating accounts for nearly three years.
Small amounts at first.
Then larger ones.
He used a subsidiary company I had never heard of — Holt & Ashworth Private Holdings.
I did not recognize the Holt name until I saw Vivienne at the charity gala in March.*
*They are partners, Charlotte.
They have been for years.
Long before I became ill.*
*I confronted Daniel.
He did not deny it.
He told me the amounts were loans — that he had always intended to repay them — that I was confused because of my medication.
He was very calm.
He was very kind.
That frightened me more than anything else.*
*I went to my own attorney the following week.
Not Gerald.
I did not want to involve Gerald until I was certain.
I had new documents drawn up — a revised ownership transfer placing everything directly in your name, bypassing the board entirely.
I signed them.
I had them witnessed.*
*Daniel must have found out.
Three days later my personal safe was opened.
The documents were gone.*
*I made one copy.
I gave it to someone I trust more than anyone left in my life.
She will know when to give it to you.*
Charlotte stopped.
She turned the page.
*Her name is Rosa Mendez.
She has worked in the Solmere kitchens for nineteen years.
She knows nothing about the legal details — only that she is holding an envelope for my daughter, and that she must give it to you in person, and only to you.*
*Find her, Charlotte.
Please find her before they do.*
*I love you.
I am so sorry I ran out of time.*
Charlotte folded the letter.
She sat very still for a moment.
Then she got out of the car.
Gerald was on the phone when she pushed open the door to the business suite.
He looked at her face and ended the call mid-sentence.
"What is it?"
"There's a woman named Rosa Mendez," Charlotte said.
"She works in the hotel kitchens.
She's been here nineteen years." She set the letter on the table in front of him.
"My mother gave her a copy of the real ownership documents before she d*ed.
The ones Daniel had stolen from her safe."
Gerald looked at the letter.
Then at Charlotte.
"If Rosa still has that envelope—"
"It changes everything," Charlotte said.
"It proves the original transfer was executed before my mother d*ed.
It proves the amended probate filing was fraudulent.
It proves Vivienne and Daniel didn't just take the company." She paused.
"It proves they planned it while my mother was still alive and asking them for help."
Gerald was already reaching for his phone again.
"I'll have someone go to the kitchen—"
"No." Charlotte picked up her jacket.
"I'll go myself.
My mother trusted her.
Rosa doesn't know me, and she doesn't know you.
If a stranger shows up asking for that envelope, she'll do exactly what my mother would have told her to do."
"Which is?"
"Deny everything and walk away."
She was already at the door.
"Charlotte." Gerald's voice stopped her.
"Vivienne has eyes in this building.
May you like
If she finds out you're looking for Rosa—"
"Then I'd better find her first."
